I am sitting with my journal on a beautiful white sandy beach, on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. I am finally on my own again, traveling solo. It kind of feels good. It's day 64 of my trip, and I have been constantly traveling with other backpackers since I was in Lanquin, Guatemala. 42 days ago. Uli the German, my last travel companion, just went back to Nicaragua as he is flying home from Guatemala around Christmas. As I believe I have mentioned before, it's so easy to meet other people while out backpacking, especially when traveling on your own. You are more approachable as a solo backpacker and you also have to make a bigger effort yourself, unless you only seek the "loneliness or solitude." One reason I mention all this, is because I know that many people out there are hesitant about going solo. There's of course safety and companionship in numbers, so it's easy to see how some people are scared about setting off on their own. These thoughts crossed my mind as well at certain stages back home. It's perfectly normal. After two months in Central America, I would however say that you shouldn't worry (I do however think that girls have a few additional things to consider compared to us guys). As long as you are open minded, maybe a bit flexible in your schedule and try to stay along the Gringo trail, it's going to be very hard for you not to meet lots of nice people from around the world who you can travel with.

But now I am alone again, and I am happy about it for now. 42 days is a long time. There's of course benefits traveling in a group, but things also get much more complicated. You cannot just think about yourself anymore, and where you want to go, what you want to see or possibly eat or where you should sleep. Now you got several opinions about everything. From where to stay, what to do, where to go, budgets, wishes and dietary needs to name a few. Normally the perfect situation for an argument or two. The good thing, I guess, is that you can just sod off on your own again when you have had enough of the crap.

Wonder what today may bring, who will I meet next and what will I see?